Instagram Translates Usernames For Twitter To Create More Accurate Tweets

Many non-Apple smartphone users where delighted when Instagram was unleashed for Android earlier this year. Once they had finished installing the app, many users (like myself) were dismayed to find that their usual handle was already taken. This means that tagging me on Instagram would require @greg_finn while it would be my usual @gregfinn for networks like Twitter. When I Tweet would be sent from Instagram, the relevancy would be lost. Not anymore.

This weekend Instagram began translating an Instagram Username into a Twitter username when a Tweet was sent. The only trick is that users must actually connect their Instagram accounts to Twitter. The funcatoinality will operates as follows:

If the @mentioned user has connected Instagram to Twitter:

The user’s Instagram username will appear in the photo caption

The user’s Twitter username will appear in the tweet

If the @mentioned user has not connected Instagram to Twitter:

The user’s Instagram username will appear in the photo caption

The @ sign will be removed from the username when shared to Twitter

This functionality is currently active for all users who’ve successfully linked Twitter to their Instagram account!

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About The Author

Greg Finn is the Director of Marketing for Cypress North, a company that provides world-class social media and search marketing services and web & application development. He has been in the Internet marketing industry for 10+ years and specializes in Digital Marketing. You can also find Greg on Twitter (@gregfinn) or LinkedIn.